Tell me about a time you and your team were surprised by the results of a project.

When starting an analysis, most data analysts have a rough prediction of the outcome rested on findings from previous projects. But there’s always room for surprise, and sometimes the results are completely unexpected. This question gives you a chance to talk about the types of analytical projects you’ve been involved in. Plus, it allows you to demonstrate your excitement about drawing new learnings from your projects. And don’t forget to mention the action you and the stakeholders took as a result of the unexpected outcome.

Example
“While performing routine analysis of a customer database, I was completely surprised to discover a customer subsegment that the company could target with a new suitable product and a relevant message. That presented a great opportunity for additional revenue for the company by utilizing a subset of an existing customer base. Everyone on my team was pleasantly surprised and soon enough we began devising strategies with Product Development to address the needs of this newly discovered subsegment.”